By Harry Powers
Southampton’s Crescendo Designs specializes in full home automation by the Crestron System with luxury technologies at every turn. Everything from heat, lighting and blinds to the audio system and televisions are operated by the touch of a button. Aesthetics are everything in a luxury home, therefore all outlets, keypads, HVAC grills and touch panels are flush mounted to the walls offering a modern look while keeping these functions very subtle in appearance. Flat screen televisions are hidden behind artwork, underneath beds or embedded within mirrors, all of which may be revealed automatically through the home control system.
Each room in the Crescendo Design Experience Center has unique technology for the luxury homeowner. The living room centerpiece is a Runco Windowwall™ with a 92-inch screen that displays artwork or may function as a TV and display four video feeds simultaneously. In the kitchen there is a motorized countertop that raises and lowers electronically and a touch panel flushed into a kitchen cabinet which functions as a control panel to the home or a TV. The media room features a Runco 103-inch plasma TV, Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond surround sound speakers, a projection system on a motorized lift and custom theater seats featuring touch control panels. The bedroom features a custom under-bed motorized lift with a 40-inch Sony TV. Technology is prevalent in the bathroom as well with a Séura waterproof TV in the shower and a disappearing mirror TV above the sink. If it’s state-of-the-art automation one seeks, set the GPS for Crescendo.
“If you can dream it, we can build it,” is the company motto at Pristine Pools. Established in 1992, the East Hampton company, specializes in creative design, quality installation and reliable maintenance of pools and spas. Particular areas of focus include perimeter overflow (where the water level of the pool is seamless in the transition to the adjoining patio) and infinity or negative edge pools. Pristine Pools takes a holistic approach to pool and spa design by considering a client’s entire outdoor entertaining space, including the patio along with the cooking and dining areas. The work of Pristine Pools has been featured in various publications including Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens designed and installed numerous pools, spas, waterscaping and hardscaping on many multimillion-dollar homes for marquee clients in the business and entertainment industries. Get wet.
James B. Fairchild offers a unique collection of worldly things for those seeking elegant and exclusive lifestyle items. Step into the destination shop tucked into a shopping area on the outskirts of Southampton Village, and journey through nine thematic vignettes. The eponymous shop opened six months ago, and represents years of combing world markets and connecting with exclusive vendors. The self-designed 900 square foot space “was designed around the items,” states Fairchild, “each vignette offers a unique style of merchandising.” Signature brands such as Chanel, Prada, Hermes and Givenchy are represented while original one-of-a-kind pieces from artisans are also found throughout. Each vignette has its own style and signature items with themes including: European, Left Bank, Botanicals, Studio, Bijoux, Americana, Southwest, Play Room and The Collector. The “European” vignette focuses on old world, timeless and collectible pieces such as the Wydeveld 19th century still-life watermelon oil painting. The “Botanical” vignette showcases natural and organic hand colored floral print, pastels and delicately colored 17th century botanicals and a Charles Rosner oil painting titled Sailboat. Enter the “Studio” vignette and take a look inside classic images of by gone years with captivating black and white historical photography such as a collection of photography from Miami in the 40s. The “Bijoux” vignette is a bit more whimsical and fun with more affordable but elegant items such as a sterling silver spider pin. You get the idea: go and try for yourself; you’ll see how easy it is.
MONC XIII is the new home store splashing on the Hamptons scene this summer. Offering an exclusive selection of “all things home”, MONC XIII features vintage furniture and stylish home accents from high-end luxury brands throughout the world. Owned by interior designer and former Wilhelmina Models agency executive Natasha Esch and Internet entrepreneur husband Matt Coffin, the 2,400 square foot ground up renovated space is located in the quaint village of Sag Harbor. Curated by Natasha, the collection of inventory focuses on vintage and new items featuring furniture from 18th century to mid-century and exceptional hand-crafted, top of the line decorative accessories spanning the globe. Natasha’s curation of the store incorporates her unique design philosophy - a balance of beauty, function, and quality of life. The collection throughout the store includes chairs from Jacques Adnet, tables from Willy Rizzo, and pieces from Osvaldo Borsani, Kaare Klint, James Mont and others. Additional vintage items include antique, custom color tinted monogrammed dinner napkins and tablecloths for the well-appointed table. A unique selection of new products comes from all outposts around the world, featuring high-end, handcrafted lines with very limited distribution. The husband and wife team just returned from a sourcing trip to Italy in mid-June, so now would be a good time to drop by.
